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CUHK–Kyoto Joint Research Postgraduate Workshop 2016
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Workshop Report by Miharu Hirano (Kyoto)
The Joint Research Postgraduate Workshop 2016 was held with the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) on 18-19 March at CUHK campus. For Kyoto, it was the fourth joint seminar on international law, CUHK being the third partner university. As usual, we had 12 sessions all together (6 presenters from each university). An hour-long session was composed of 20 minutes presentation and 5 minutes comment by a student from the counterpart university, followed by the 35 minutes of intensive discussion.
The themes covered a range of international law areas, including WTO law, investment law, human rights law and international criminal law. Some presentations dug a fundamental questions of international law with interdisciplinary approach, incorporating perspectives from philosophy (what is the rule of law?), constitutional law (what is federalism?) or international relations (what is power?). Other ones focused on practical questions with empirical approach, for instance, on corporate governance or the human rights situation of a specific State. Interestingly enough, two students from both universities came up with the question of the human right to water and the roles of economic institutions (the World Bank and investment arbitration).
Participating students and post-doctoral researchers were privileged to be chaired by Professor Gordon (CUHK) and Professor Hamamoto (Kyoto), and to have Professor Amy Barrow (CUHK), Professor Julien Chaisse (CUHK) and Professor Bryan Mercurio (CUHK) in the discussions.
The two days of intensive discussions easily turned into a friendship among participants. Amazing Chinese food at restaurants and drinks in a bar over the million dollar-view enhanced our conversations.
Last but not least, I, on behalf of all Kyoto participants, would like to thank professors and students who involved in the organisations of this wonderful workshop. We are hoping to meet each other next year in Kyoto and continue further with our collaboration.
